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Sociology of Kinship

Notes (I) Changes in the Structure of Joint Family
(i) Changes in Size: The size of the joint family was big as the members of there or more gener-
ations stayed together. But now because of the expansion of education, family planing and
the desire for the upliftment of life etc, the size of family has reduced, which now consists
of the husband-wife and their unmarried children.
(ii) Depletion in Power of Family Head: Earlier, the decision of the family head was supreme.
But now the new educated generation, who believes in equality and democracy, refuses to
accept the dictatorial power of the father. They have started making their own decisions
regarding marriage and personal matters.
(iii) Increased Power of Women: Education encouraged women to step out of the confines
(boundary walls) of their homes and work. They became financially self dependant. The
new laws provided them equal social, economic and political base. Their status and esteem
rose and with that, the power of men diminished. The women started visiting clubs, be-
cause of which there were changes in family functions.
(iv) Changes in the Form of Marriage: Earlier, parents and kins played an important role in
selecting a match, but now youngsters have started looking for a match on their own. To-
day marriage is a matter related to two individuals and not two families. The end of child-
marriage, widow remarriage, love marriage and delayed marriage, all have changed the
form of family.
(v) Instability: Today, families face increased activation and instability. People have started
moving out because of jobs and business. This lessened the control of family, neighbours
and kin. Thus, divorces started becoming prevalent. Innovative ideas regarding sexual rela-
tions have also reduced the importance of joint families.
(vi) Changes in Family Relations: The mutual relations between the members of the joint fami-
lies have weakened. The cordiality and warmth of relations have been replaced by were
formality. The family control too has become feeble. Now, family is nothing more than a
formal institution.
(vii) Lack of Groupism: To preserve the unity of the traditional joint family, joint possession,
like residence property and joint activities like worshipping and dining have played an
important role. Presently, it is not possible, as family members stay separately at different
places. The property too, is being divided. As a result, the family group-ism came to an end
and the nuclear tendency strengthened.

Self Assessment
Fill in the blanks:
1. Because of female education, women stepped out of ____________ . They started working.
2. In selecting a match, the parents and kins had an ____________ role. But now the young-
sters have started selecting their own partners.
3. The mutual relations of a joint family have ____________ .

(II) Changes in the Functions of Joint Family

(i) Changes in Education and Cultural Functions: Earlier the joint families provided education
to its members, made them sociable and introduced them to customs, rites, rituals, religion
and culture. But now that role is being played by educational and cultural institutions.
(ii) Changes In religious Functions: Earlier, the joint families would perform the religious vitu-
als like Yajna (Yagya), Huwan, Puja (worship), Fasts, Festivals and Religious Functions. But
due to the diminishing importance of religion, the need of such role play has diminished too.

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